Women, Work and the Iowa Economy, September 2008

Women play a substantial and crucial role in the Iowa economy. Women make up almost half the labor force, participating in the labor force at one of the highest rates in the nation. At the same time, disparities persist as to women’s prospects for success in that same economy. For instance, although women in Iowa are more likely than men to receive post-secondary education, they are also more likely to be in poverty and to earn a lower wage than male peers. The “gender gap,” the difference between male and female wages, is a much-discussed but often misunderstood tool that helps measure women’s success in the workforce. Women’s median wages are lower than men’s median wages largely because of differences in male and female occupations and work history, although gender discrimination in the workforce also plays a role. This report investigates Iowa’s gender gap in ways that clearly show both its causes and effects and suggests policy responses that could ensure women’s full and equal participation in Iowa’s economic future. Understanding the differences between men’s and women’s experiences in the state economy is important for developing policies that can effectively address barriers to economic success for all Iowans.

2001 Iowa Department of Transportation Organizational Survey, Final report, 2001

In February 2001, all 3,595 employees of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) were invited to participate in a survey related to job satisfaction and work practices. This survey partially replicated assessments made by random, stratified samples of IDOT employees in 1984, 1988, and 1993. The present survey was designed to allow for generalizations about all IDOT employees and various subgroups of employees (i.e., majority and minority employees, males and females, and employees less than 40 years of age and those 40 years of age or older).

Final Report: 1993 Iowa Department of Transportation Organizational Survey, 1993

In March 1993, all 3, 666 employees of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) were invited to participate in a survey related to morale and work practices. Survey questionnaires were sent to employees / homes and participation in the study was voluntary. This survey, in part, replicates assessments made by random, stratified samples of DOT employees in 1984 and 1988. Thus it is possible to evaluate some changes in morale and work practices at three points in time. The present survey was designed to allow for generalizations about all DOT employees and various subgroups of employees (i.e., majority and minority employees, males and females, employees less than 40 years of age and those 40 years of age or older, and work area location). Altogether, 2249 usable questionnaires were returned, yielding a much higher-than-average response rate 61.3%.